Maria Powell | What Buyers Should Know About Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

What Buyers Should Know About Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

Published August 14, 2017

Are you planning to buy a condo, townhouse, or a home in a planned unit development? If so, be prepared to have to deal with covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). In fact, any home that’s governed by a homeowners association (HOA) has their own set of CC&Rs that all residents must abide by.

When and How Can You Legally Break a Lease in California?

Published August 10, 2017

While renting doesn’t necessarily come with the same level of commitment as buying a home, you’re still obligated to adhere to the terms of your lease, and that includes sticking to the lease until its expiry date. When tenants initially sign a lease, the contract length is typically for 12 months, after which tenants can become month-to-month or can renew their lease for another specified period of time.

Final Walk-Through Issues That Can Crush a Real Estate Deal

Published August 7, 2017

Before you seal the deal on your real estate contract, you’ll want to do one last thing after all is said and done – perform a final walk-through of the home. Anything can happen from the day you visit the home to closing. A final walk-through is extremely important for buyers to identify any issues that go against the contract. If there are any, they could delay closing or crush the deal completely.

INFOGRAPHIC: 11 Things Home Buyers Are Looking For

Published August 3, 2017

Regardless of whether or not it’s a seller’s market, it’s always helpful if your home has the features that buyers are looking for. Here are the top 11 characteristics that today’s buyers want when shopping for a new home.

Your Lease is Up: Should You Renew?

Published July 31, 2017

Your lease is almost due to expire: should you renew it, or consider entering the world of homeownership? It’s not uncommon for Americans to begin life on their own as a renter when moving out of their parents’ homes or graduating from college. Student loans can make it tough to start out as a homeowner right from the get-go, and housing prices aren’t exactly cheap.

6 Tips to Ensure a Prompt Closing

Published July 27, 2017

The entire homebuying process can take a long time. Imagine all the homes you have to look at before you find “the one.” Even after you’ve negotiated a deal and your offer is accepted, there’s still the escrow period to have to go through, which can be a lengthy process itself.

8 Tips For Furnishing an Odd-Shaped Room

Published July 24, 2017

Furnishing a symmetrical rectangular room is pretty simple, especially if you’ve got ample space to work with. But how exactly do you go about arranging furniture in an odd-shaped space without it looking like everything’s just been thrown together with little forethought?

INFOGRAPHIC: California Sales Report For May 2017

Published July 21, 2017

The housing market in California picked up some steam in May as existing home sales and median home prices inched up from both the month and year before. Here are some pertinent stats on California’s housing market for May 2017, gathered by the California Association of Realtors (CAR).

Grads! How to Snag Your First Apartment

Published July 17, 2017

You’re fresh out of college, and now real life really begins. After you’ve landed yourself a great job thanks to your diploma or degree, your next step is to find a place of your own. Adjusting to a new life outside of college can be daunting and overwhelming, and having to find your first apartment to rent just adds to that stress. But with the right plan in place, the process doesn’t have to be as difficult as you may think.

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Newbie Homebuyer Mistakes That Should Be Avoided

Published July 14, 2017

It goes without saying that a home purchase is a big deal and is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. If you’re a first-time buyer, make sure you avoid these potentially costly mistakes.